Noni Hazlehurst has played many characters in her decades-long stage and screen career. But the role closest to her heart is that of mother to Charlie, 19 and William, 13.

The Aussie mum admits feelings of guilt at returning to her career when her boys were young and says she is constantly apologising for not being a perfect mum. Her down to earth approach to mothering made her the perfect ambassador for the Barnados Mother Of The Year Awards, a post she has held for four years now.

Lisa Wilkinson entered the public domain on a grand scale at just 21 years of age when she became the youngest editor of a national female magazine, teen bible Dolly. Over the years Lisa has become one of the country's most respected female journalists helping steer publications such as Cleo and Australian Woman's Weekly to success.

In May 2007 she famously defected to Network Nine where she now co-hosts the Today Show.

Tiffani Wood rose to fame in 2000 through reality tv show Popstars and later went on to form Bardot, Australia's biggest selling female group. As Mercedes Maguire discovered, eight years later the mother to one-year-old Lillian Adel has taken her career down a different road thanks to her little girl.

Getting a baby to sleep is admittedly one of the most challenging jobs a new parent can face. But, for Tiffani, the task bought new meaning to her life - and a new musical endeavour.